Country roads take me home...

This song kept coming to mind as we traveled through beautiful country on our way to our final destination.

We left Maryland on June 17th and traveled all the way across Virginia and stopped in Kingsport, TN for the night.  Day 2 we left Kingsport for Decatur, AL.  It rained pretty much the entire drive!  It cleared up in Decatur though and we got to visit with Patrick's brother Nick and our adorable 2 year old nephew Jack.

*Fun fact:  Decatur, AL was named after Stephen Decatur.  The same Stephen Decatur my high school in Berlin, MD is named after.  If you don't know who he is, google :)*

Day 3 we got to sleep in a little bit.  We visited with Jack and Nick some more, before heading out for Hattiesburg, MS. We had dinner form Cracker Barrel.  I'm disappointed Salisbury finally gets around to having a Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings after we leave.  I know where we are eating when we come back to visit!

Day 4 started off hot and cloudy.  Turned into hot and rainy. When it rains it pours!  I mean this literally.  It did not drizzle on this trip.  It either wasn't raining or it was a downpour. It didn't rain for long periods of time though.  It was nice when we got to Texas.  We stopped at the visitor center which was very cool.  There is a huge star in the front and in the back of the building there is a walkway and you can see the marsh and take pictures ( I took plenty, they are coming soon!)  When it did start to rain, wowza!  Could barely see the car in front of us.  I saw lightning about half a mile away.  The boys slept through the whole thing while Patrick thought it was funny when I jumped at the lightning and thunder.  I have to be honest, I have never been scared before riding in a car in that type of weather.  But there is always sunshine after the rain :)

As we did all that driving of the interstate highways, including Rt. 66 for a while, I spent most of the time looking out the window, enjoying the view and taking pictures.  The scenery was spectacular.  I think it's only in situations like these when you truly have the time to sit back and enjoy the view.  We live in a beautiful country and I think in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we lose sight of that.  

I've only seen a fraction of the land that makes this country so beautiful but I enjoyed and appreciated every moment of it.  I suggest everyone at some point get out there and take a drive.  Really take in the scenery of the land that makes up our country.  And if you are one of those people that needs a destination, set a course for Texas :)

Traveling with pets

I was nervous about traveling with Duke and Ozzy during the trip.  Well more Ozzy then Duke.  Duke is used to being a in a car and traveling even if it hadn't been for such long distances before.  Surprisingly, Ozzy has done really well.  He cried when we first started traveling and did every morning when we got on the road.  He would always end up falling asleep shortly after and did so for most of the drive.  I liked that every state we traveled through had a rest stop every 50 miles or so.  We would stop every 2 hours or so and take Duke out.  We tried taking Ozzy out too but he wasn't a big fan, instead he just stretched out in the car.  Both have also done well in the hotels.  Duke would cry if one of us left the room but that's typical Duke behavior.  Overall,  I'm really grateful and happy with how well traveling with has been with them.

Follow your arrow...

Today I was introduced to a song titled "Follow your arrow" by Kacey Musgraves.  It's a funny song but with great meaning behind it.  I wanted to share so here it is...

Today was my last day at work.  Even though I know this, I don't think it has quite hit me yet.  It was very strange looking at my empty classroom.  It seems as if it was just yesterday when I was moving into that room.  I'm so proud of my kids.  Some of them really pushed my buttons but they were my kids and I wish only the best for them as they move onto fourth grade.  I received some compliments that brought tears to my eyes and some sweet gifts from my students.  I've been very lucky this year to have such a great class and to work with an awesome team.  No matter where I go next, Pemberton will always be my first "home".

Now as I get ready to start a new chapter in Texas, all I can do is follow my arrow...

Adventures...

Saying yes to Patrick's proposal in April 2012, meant many adventures ahead!

In the last year, I got my first teaching job in third grade, we planned our wedding, found out we are heading to Galveston, TX, in the blink of an eye we got married and now I am finishing out the school year as we get ready for our move.  

We will be spending our one month wedding anniversary with the movers as they pack up the apartment. In a little over three weeks, we will be getting in the car and starting our drive to Galveston.

Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream.  I tease that if it wasn't for the photo proof, I would think our wedding was a dream.  What a whirlwind year it has been!  And it's only going to get crazier.

Patrick will report for duty next month.  I, will hopefully keep this blog up, take a lot of photos with the camera I'm getting next week and substitute teach in the fall.  We will explore Texas and get to know our "permanent" change of station.  Until the next one...

This last year has been full of adventures and I'm excited for the adventures still to come.  What makes it even more special, is I get to do it all with my husband!  And Duke and Ozzy too... :)